The Phillies Zone

MINNEAPOLIS — The Phillies are 8.5 games out of first place, the furthest they've been since June 2, 2007. Following a day off, nearly the entire group of position players took to Target Field for early batting practice Tuesday. Perhaps a visit here is the cure for their recent malaise.

To start, they will face righthander Nick Blackburn, whose 7.75 ERA is the highest for any pitcher in baseball with at least eight starts. The Twins are in last place with a minus-67 run differential. That is worst in the American League.

If there was a time to start making hay, this series is a prime opportunity.